During summer it is possible to travel far into the mountains by bus from Oslo, Fagernes and Beitostølen and start hiking right from the bus stop. This is genius whether you want to do a one-way walk or are simply looking for a more sustainable transport alternative. Below we have listed a number of hiking suggestions in and in the vicinity of Jotunheimen that are easily accessible by bus.
Bitihorn (1607 m.a.s.l.)
Bitihorn is one of the most well-known and popular mountain hikes in Valdres! Alltogether, the hike is 8 km long and leads 550 m uphill offering a magnificent view towards Jotunheimen and over large parts of the Valdres region. Take Valdresekspressen to the bus stop Stavtjernet and you are right at the trailhead!
The tour description for the Bitihorn hike can be found here.
Rasletinden (2105 m.a.s.l.)
Rasletinden is one of the easiest 2000-m-summits in Norway to scale! Return you are looking at 16.6 km and 725 m elevation gain and you follow a marked trail all the way to the summit. To get to the starting point of the hike take the Valdresekspressen to Valdresflye!
The tour description for the Rasletinden hike can be found here.
Around Lake Bygdin in four days
Around Lake Bygdin is one of severeal great hikes in Jotunheimen that are easily accessible by bus! On route you stay in mountain huts belonging to the Norwegian Hiking association DNT: Yksendalsbu, Fondsbu, and Torfinnsbu. Combine your hike with the unique boat service on lake Bygdin operated by the historical M/B Bitihorn.
To get to the starting point of the trail, take the Valdresekspressen to Stavtjernet. The tour finishes at Bygdin, and you board the bus back at Bygdin hotell.
Find the tour description around Bygdin here.
Utsikten (1485 m.a.s.l.)
Utsikten - "The View" - is a great and easy hike from Eidsbugarden, the southern gateway to the Jotunheimen mountain area. From the viewpoint you can enjoy a panoramic view towards Jotunheimen's peaks. In total 6 km on a clear path and 425 m elevation gain. To get to Eidsbugarden, you can either take the bus from Fagernes (Innlandstrafikk) or the boat from Bygdin (M/B Bitihorn). Combine your hike with a visit at the mountain hut Fondsbu or Bygdin Fjellhotell.
The tour description to Utsikten can be found here.
Gravolskampen (1281 m.a.s.l) to Beitostølen
The summit of Gravolskampen can be reached on either a return hike from Båtskaret (6 km) or on the way from Båtskaret to Beitostølen (11,5 km). The terrain is easy and family friendly and you can enjoy a great view over lake Vinstern and the Gausdalsfjella from the summit. To the west tower the nearest 2000 m-summits in Jotunheimen. Take the Valdresekspressen to Båtskaret where the trail starts. If hiking to Beitostølen you can take the bus back from there or, if staying at Beitostølen, you are practically walking home.
The tour description for Gravolskampen return can be found here.
The tour description from Båtskaret to Beitostølen via Gravolskampen can be found here.
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Heklefjellet - Beitostølen
This is an easy hike in open and friendly mountain landscape from Båtskaret to Beitostølen over the Heklefjellet viewpoint. The hike is 7.5 km and can be extended with the Knausehøgdene ridge. To reach the trailhead, take the Valdresekspressen to Båtskaret. If you are staying elsewhere, take the bus back from Beitostølen.
The tour description for the hike from Båtskaret to Beitostølen via Heklefjellet can be found here.
The traverse over the Knausehøgdene Ridge at Beitostølen
This is a hike over the ridge Knausehøgdene which lies just above the town centre of Beitostølen and offers nice viws to the mountain of Bitihorn and Jotunheimen. The hike between Gardli and Beitostølen south (Kiwi Supermarked) is approx. 9 km long. The Knausehøgdene Ridge can be hiked seperately or in combination with the hikes between Båtskaret and Beitostølen; either over Heklefjellet or Gravolskampen. The starting point for this hike is at Gardli, 3 km north of Beitostølen. You get there by taking a bus operated by Valdresekspressen or Innlandstrafikk during summer.
The tour description for the travers over the Knausehøgdene Ridge can be found here!
Synshorn (1475 m.a.s.l) and Fagerdalen
This is an easy hike to a great view towards Jotunheimen and over large parts of the Valdres region. 4.5 km return and 400 m inclination on a clear but otherwise unmarked trail. The hike to the summit can be combined with a circuit through the Fagerdalen valley from Fagerstrand/Bygdin. The circuit is 8 km in length. After the hike you can stop by Bygdin Fjellhotell for a well-deserved meal or cup of coffee. The express bus Valdresekspressen and the local line Innlandstrafikk stop at Bygdin hotel.
The tour description for the hike to Synshorn and Fagerdalen is found here!
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Hiking tour from Valdresflye through the Fagerdalen Valley to Bygdin
Intermediate hiking tour from the high mountain plateau Valdresflye though Breidløypa and the Fagerdalen Valley to Bygdin. The hike leads through fairly easy open mountain terrain and is mostly downhill. There are views to Lake Bygdin and some of the two thousand meter summits of eatern Jotunheimen. In total 13 km on a T-merked trail and later unmarked but clear trail. When finished we recommend to stop by Bygdin Fjellhotell and enjoy a coffe or bite to eat while waiting for the bus. Valdresekspressen stops at the hotel.
The tour description for the hike from Valdreflye to Bygdin can be found here!
Svartdalen
The hike though Svartdalen Valley leads through one of the most beautiful of Jotunheimen's valleys and can easily be accessed with busses and boat services. Take the Valdresekspressen to Bygdin and continue with M/B Bitihorn to Torfinnsbu. From here you hike through Svartdalen to Gjendebu. From Gjendebu, take Gjendebåten to Gjendesheim and finish the round trip on the bus from Gjendesheim back to your starting point.
More information about the round trip through Svartdalen can be found here.
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Besseggen
The hike over the Besseggen Ridge is one of Norway's most well-known and most popular mountain hikes. The ridge sports an unrivaled panoramic view over lakes and peaks in Jotunheimen. The hikes take 6-7 hours to complete (breaks not included), and you can choose to start either from Gjendesheim or from Memurubu and take the boat on Lake in the other direction. A more exposed and challenging alternative is the steep ascend via the so-called Jo-stigen. Beitostølen Aktiv's knowledgeable guides take you safely up and over. The buses operated by Valdresekspressen and Innlandstrafikk stop at Gjendesheim.
A detailed tour description as well as tips and advice is found here.
Historical Hiking Route Jotunheimen
The Historical Hiking Route Jotunheimen is a 50 km hike over several days through the best hiking areas in Jotunheimen. We recommend to join a guided tour by Jotunheimen Travel to make the most of it by getting interesting insight and historical facts and having meals and baggage transport included. If you choose to do it on your own, catch a bus to Gjendesheim, and a boat or bus back from Eidsbugarden.
More information about the Historcal Hiking Route Jotunheimen can be found here.
Click here for time tables and ticket purchase for Valdresekspressen and the boat M/B Bitihorn.
Click here for time tables and ticke purchase for the bus services operated by Innlandstrafikk.
Have a safe hike!
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